Study zeros in on dimentia estimate in United States; Number is large and getting larger

A new study published in the November 2007 issue of Neuroepidemiology provides the first prevalence estimates based on a nationally representative sample of older adults from all regions of the United States. Among its findings:

About 3.4 million people, or 13.9 percent of the population age 71 and older, have some form of dementia.

The prevalence of dementia increased dramatically with age, from five percent of those aged 71 to 79 to 37.4 percent of those age 90 and older.

About 2.4 million of those with dementia, or 9.7 percent of the population age 71 and older, were found to have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease accounted for approximately 69.9 percent of all dementia, while vascular dementia – often caused by stroke – accounted for 17.4 percent. With increasing age, Alzheimer’s disease accounted for progressively more of the dementia cases, so that in the 90+ age group, it comprised 79.5 percent of dementia cases, compared to 46.7 percent among those in their 70s.

Regarding the study, William Thies, vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer’s Association said:

"What this study and others before it confirm is that there are millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and that number is estimated to grow at an epidemic rate if we don’t do something about it. The nation’s leaders need to act now to advance research for effective treatments and provide care and support to those living with Alzheimer’s."

Stated simply this study confirms that dementia is almost certainly going to touch your life, whether by affecting you or a loved one.

Link to PDF version of article (here) or press release announcing findings (here).